Karaoke night! Some people make it a weekly ritual. Some do it for fun, and others take it very seriously, even competing in karaoke contests!

No matter how you view karaoke, it’s a wonderful way to practice performing – especially if you’re a beginner singer. This guide will help you make the most of the night, including tips to prepare beforehand, how to choose the best karaoke songs, and how to shine on stage!

How to Pick the Best Karaoke Songs For You

Before you hit the stage, I recommend having a few songs in mind. Thinking ahead can be especially helpful for beginner karaoke singers, since it will take the stress away from choosing a song the night of. But there’s a lot more to it than just picking your favorite song!

Let’s say you love the Beatles. That doesn’t mean you can sing any Beatles’ song in the original key without straining your voice. John and Paul had very high singing voices, and most males are baritones. So ask yourself this: “When I sing along to my favorite songs, who am I most comfortable singing with?”

Maybe it’s Taylor Swift, a middle voice. Or perhaps a higher one, like Dolly Parton. Either way, use this guide for help picking your best karaoke song.

Oh, and since karaoke is about fun, don’t forget to pick a song that you truly enjoy singing! It’s usually a better idea to choose something more up-tempo as it will make it less likely for nerves to show. If you’re nervous and singing a ballad, your voice can get shaky.

5 Tips for Singing Karaoke

Here are some other things to keep in mind about how to have a successful karaoke night:

Look confident! Start with a smile and with your feet planted shoulder width apart. Make no apologies for being on that stage!

Pick a song you really know so you’re not always having to look at the lyrics on the screen. Don’t forget you have an audience that wants you to sing to them!

Use good vocal technique. Breathe low, and keep your sound placed in your mask rather than shouting into the microphone.

Practice at home! YouTube has many excellent channels, such as KaraFun, that can help you practice.

Don’t take yourself too seriously. If you pick a song you love, it will show in your performance. That’s when you can expect the compliments to pour in!

100+ Best Karaoke Songs of All Time

Are you ready to find out the top karaoke songs? Here are some of the most popular karaoke songs, broken down by genre, category, and more! You can also jump to specific song recommendations using these links:

Best Female Karaoke Songs

Ladies, you’ve got so many great choices when it comes to top karaoke songs! From powerhouse pop to girl-power classics, all of these songs are really fun to sing! Here are our picks for the best female karaoke songs.

Shake It Off – Taylor Swift

Stronger – Kelly Clarkson

I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor

It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls

Single Ladies – Beyoncé

Like a Virgin – Madonna

Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus

Emotions – Mariah Carey

Rehab – Amy Winehouse

Black Velvet – Alannah Myles

Son of a Preacher Man – Dusty Springfield

Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover – Sophie B. Hawkins

Best Karaoke Songs for Men

Guys, start warming up your voices for these top picks in all vocal genres – rock, pop, punk, and even lounge-style. Here are some of the best karaoke songs for men.

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Wonderwall – Oasis

My Way – Frank Sinatra

I Wanna Be Sedated – the Ramones

Losing My Religion – R.E.M.

Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley

867-5309/Jenny – Tommy Tutone

Mack the Knife – Bobby Darin

If I Was Your Girlfriend – Prince

When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars

Top Easy Karaoke Songs

Need something a bit easier to sing? If your vocal skills aren’t quite where you want them to be yet, don’t worry. There are plenty of easy karaoke songs that you can still rock out to.

500 Miles – The Proclaimers

These Boots Are Made for Walking – Nancy Sinatra

Crazy – Patsy Cline

Happy – Pharrell Williams

Copacabana – Barry Manilow

That’s the Way (I Like It) – KC and the Sunshine Band

Celebration – Kool and the Gang

Funkytown – Lipps, Inc

Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin

Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

Duet Karaoke Songs

Grab a friend for twice the fun! Duet songs let both singers shine. Check out the list below for our top picks.

The Boy is Mine – Brandy and Monica

Cruisin’ – Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow

Islands in the Stream – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

All I Have – Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J

Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes

Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

Dream a Little Dream of Me – Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

Hunger Strike – Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell

Best Group Karaoke Songs

For those of you that hit the bar with a bunch of friends, these group karaoke songs will let you all join in on the fun!

We Are Family – Sister Sledge

California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and the Papas

ABC – Jackson 5

Wannabe – Spice Girls

Push It – Salt ‘n Pepa

No Scrubs – TLC

Lean On Me – Club Nouveau

Rapper’s Delight – Sugar Hill Gang

YMCA – Village People

Supersonic – JJ Fad

Funny Karaoke Songs

Want to just have fun, without worrying about your vocal skills? Pick one of the funny karaoke songs below, add in a splash of confidence and stage presence, and the crowd will love you.

Rock Lobster – B-52s

Just a Friend – Biz Markie

Tubthumping – Chumbawamba

MMMBop – Hanson

Mickey – Toni Basil

Party All the Time – Eddie Murphy

The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades – Timbuk 3

Whip It – Devo

If You Like Piña Coladas – Jimmy Buffet

Rico Suave – Gerardo

’90s Karaoke Songs

’90s kids: listen up! Whether you grew up with rock or pop princesses, these crowd-pleasers will get everyone singing along with you.

Closing Time – Semisonic

Time of Your Life – Green Day

You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette

Torn – Natalie Imbruglia

I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders

Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera

Gettin’ Jiggy Wit’ It – Will Smith

Who Am I? (What’s My Name) – Snoop Dogg

Santeria – Sublime

Don’t Speak – No Doubt

’80s Karaoke Songs

More a fan of ’80s music? Here are our favorite jams to sign up for.

Billie Jean – Michael Jackson

I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner

I Think We’re Alone Now – Tiffany

Wake Me Up Before You Go Go – Wham!

Don’t You Want Me – Human League

Tainted Love – Soft Cell

I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz

All Night Long – Lionel Richie

Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears

Part-Time Lover – Stevie Wonder

’60s and ’70s Karaoke Songs

Break out the bellbottoms and get your best John Travolta impression ready for these disco tunes.

Dancing Queen – ABBA

Stayin’ Alive – The Bee Gees

I’m Every Woman – Chaka Khan

Rapture – Blondie

Do Ya Think I’m Sexy – Rod Stewart

Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry

Brick House – Commodores

Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell

You’re So Vain – Carly Simon

Let’s Get it On – Marvin Gaye

Best Karaoke Love Songs

Can you feel the love tonight? If you want to impress your sweetie in the crowd, pick one of these top karaoke songs about love.

Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper

Wicked Game – Chris Isaak

Try a Little Tenderness – Otis Redding

Come to My Window – Melissa Etheridge

The Sweetest Thing – U2

I Melt With You – Modern English

That’s the Way Love Goes – Janet Jackson

Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley

She Loves You – the Beatles

Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor

Best Rock Karaoke Songs

Love singing rock music? Here are some of the best rock karaoke songs to consider.

Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard

Creep – Radiohead

Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen

Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers

We’re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister

Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Piece of My Heart – Janis Joplin

Zombie – The Cranberries

Enter Sandman – Metallica

Best Pop Karaoke Songs

Pop songs are super fun to sing at karaoke nights! Here are some of our favorites.

Royals – Lorde

Baby One More Time – Britney Spears

Push – Matchbox Twenty

Treasure – Bruno Mars

Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen

Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley

Iris – Goo Goo Dolls

The Middle – Jimmy Eat World

Timber – Ke$ha and Pitbull

All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor

Best R&B Karaoke Songs

Feeling that rhythm and blues? Put your heart and soul into these top R&B karaoke songs.

This is How We Do It – Montell Jordan

Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

Poison – Bel Biv Devoe

End of the Road – Boyz II Men

No Diggity – Blackstreet

Doo Wop (That Thing) – Lauryn Hill

Un-break My Heart – Toni Braxton

Not Gon’ Cry – Mary J. Blige

He’s So Fine – The Chiffons

Chain of Fools – Aretha Franklin

Best Country Karaoke Songs

More of the honky-tonk type? Whether you prefer classic country songs or modern-day hits, here are the best country karaoke songs.

Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain

Something to Talk About – Bonnie Raitt

Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

Stand By Your Man – Tammy Wynette

Friends In Low Places – Garth Brooks

Your Cheatin’ Heart – Hank Williams

Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood

Celebrity – Brad Paisley

All My Ex’s Live in Texas – George Strait

Worst Karaoke Songs

And whatever you do, avoid these WORST karaoke songs!

Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus

I’ve Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher

Picture – Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock

Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot

Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice

Barbie Girl – Aqua

My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion

Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet

Boyfriend – Justin Bieber

Friday – Rebecca Black

How Karaoke Can Make You a Better Singer

It goes without saying that performing, in general, becomes easier the more you do it. Karaoke night is a great way to get over stage fright if you attend regularly. You’ll always have an audience, and they are usually very supportive and encouraging (especially if you go with friends and family)!

Doing karaoke is also a great idea if you’re pursuing music. Think of it this way: you’re not being judged as you would be at an audition or vocal contest, so it’s certainly less stressful. Try out any of these songs risk-free before you take it to the “big time”!

Readers, which top karaoke songs did we leave out? Add a comment below with your personal favorites.

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I cannot believe you left out Unchained Melody. The song not only belongs in the most romantic songs but one of the most difficult to sing. It is one of my favorites to sing but not like the Righteous Brothers. It’s also amazing to me when people don’t change the key of the song. I sing a song well but try to sing it in the key it was written. If I would just knock it down or up a notch it would be a great hit for them.